HM Sabbir: Bangladesh’s rapid industrialisation over the past two decades has significantly strengthened its economic growth and global competitiveness. Expansion in the ready-made garment sector, large infrastructure projects, construction activities and manufacturing industries has created millions of jobs and contributed greatly to national GDP.

Yet alongside this economic progress, concerns regarding occupational health and safety (OHS) remain significant. Workplace accidents in construction sites, industrial facilities and infrastructure projects continue to raise questions about whether adequate safety measures are in place to protect the workforce that drives the country’s development.
The collapse of Rana Plaza in 2013 drew global attention to workplace safety issues in Bangladesh and led to several reforms, particularly within the garment sector. Since then, fire safety, building compliance and monitoring mechanisms have improved in export-oriented industries. However, safety risks remain common in sectors such as construction, small manufacturing and informal industries where regulatory oversight is comparatively weaker.
Experts note that workplace safety should be viewed not only as a regulatory requirement but also as a key element of sustainable economic development. Safe workplaces protect workers’ lives, increase productivity and reduce economic losses caused by accidents.
Bangladesh’s Labour Act 2006 includes provisions requiring employers to ensure safe working environments, provide protective equipment and maintain proper safety training. Despite these legal frameworks, implementation often remains inconsistent, particularly in smaller projects and informal workplaces.
From a human rights perspective, workplace safety must be treated as a fundamental right. *ABM Saifullah, Member Secretary of the national human rights Organization Lighthouse* , emphasised that economic progress must go hand in hand with worker protection.
“Every worker deserves a safe workplace. Development should never come at the cost of human life,” he said, adding that ensuring safety requires coordinated efforts from the government, industry owners, contractors and civil society.
Workplace safety professionals also highlight that many occupational accidents are preventable.
*Md Zakaria, EHS Superintendent at Gildan (SDS International Ltd.),* explained that a large number of workplace incidents arise from human-created risks rather than unavoidable events.
According to him, safety policies are often present in project documents but are not consistently implemented on the ground. In many construction and infrastructure projects, safety clauses exist within contracts between clients and contractors, yet practical enforcement remains weak.
“In many cases, project progress is prioritised over safety. But a truly successful project should be measured not only by timely completion, but also by whether it is completed without injury or loss of life,” he noted.
Despite existing challenges, *Zakaria* observed that some multinational and responsible local companies are increasingly adopting stronger safety management systems and training programmes. Expanding such practices across industries could significantly improve workplace safety standards in Bangladesh.
Academic experts also highlight the importance of scientific risk analysis in preventing workplace accidents. *Professor Dr Abdul Alim, Chairman of the Department of Mathematics at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)* , emphasised that many workplace risks can be predicted through proper data analysis.
“Accidents often appear sudden, but in reality they are frequently predictable if risk factors are properly analysed,” he said. In many developed countries, statistical modelling and predictive risk analysis are widely used to identify potential hazards before accidents occur. According to him, adopting similar data-driven approaches could strengthen Bangladesh’s occupational safety systems.
Field observations by journalists also indicate persistent safety gaps in certain sectors. *Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey — Senior Vice-President, Lighthouse & Editor, Daily Kaler Katha* , noted that workers are often seen performing high-risk tasks without essential protective equipment such as helmets or safety harnesses.
He said that while compliance has improved in some large industrial facilities, safety practices remain weak in smaller construction and manufacturing sites where monitoring is limited.
Experts believe that improving occupational health and safety requires stronger enforcement of existing laws, regular inspections and better awareness among both employers and workers. Investment in worker safety should also be viewed as an economic necessity rather than an additional cost.

As Bangladesh continues its journey toward becoming a higher-income economy, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its workforce will remain a crucial challenge. Sustainable development depends not only on economic growth but also on protecting the people who contribute to that growth every day.
Ultimately, the true success of development will be measured not only by infrastructure or industrial expansion, but also by how safely and responsibly that development is achieved.

Writer: H M Sabbir

International Affairs Secretary
National Human Rights Organization Light House